Remote manipulator for manipulating live multiple sub-conductors in a single phase bundle

ABSTRACT

A manipulator for separating sub-conductors in an energized single phase bundle includes a rigid support member and first and second actuators mounted on the support member, wherein each actuator is independently actuable of the other. Insulators are mounted on each actuator. A selectively releasable coupler is mounted on each insulator for selectively releasable coupling of each insulator to a corresponding sub-conductor. The actuators extend corresponding insulators independently of one another from the support member to thereby separate from each other by an optimized separation distance the distal ends of each insulator. When the corresponding sub-conductors of the single phase bundle are releasably coupled to the corresponding distal ends of the insulators the surge impedance loading of the single phase bundle may be improved by separation of the corresponding distal ends of the insulators and the sub-conductors by the optimized separation distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/227,834 filed Apr. 13, 2009, which is a National Phase entryapplication from PCT Application No. PCT/CA2006/000909 filed Jun. 2,2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device which is attached to the boom of acrane or similar device, and the corresponding method for the preciseand remote manipulation of live sub-conductors in a single phase bundleof an energized overhead high voltage transmission line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As we describe in our U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,207, which issued Jul. 23,1996 for our Boom-Mountable Robotic Arm, high voltage transmission anddistribution lines are typically strung between a series of spaced-apartsupport structures or poles. The conductors are connected to insulatorsmounted on or suspended from cross arms extending at the upper end oftransmission or distribution poles, or conductor support points builtinto transmission structures. Periodically it is necessary to replace orrepair the poles or structures, cross anus and insulators to maintainthe electrical circuit in good working order. It is preferable if thismaintenance and repair work can be performed without de-energizing theconductors in order to avoid an interruption of service to consumers, orto avoid the necessity of purchasing power from an alternative source,or other system disruptions.

Hot line repair work is a potentially hazardous undertaking. Safetyregulations require that linemen maintain a minimum work clearance or“limit of approach” from energized conductors. The limit of approachvaries depending upon the voltage of the conductors in question.

Conventional procedures used by linemen to temporarily support energizedconductors in order to enable repair of damaged or obsolete componentsinvolve the use of insulated wire tongs, lift poles and rope blocks inlabour-intensive, complex rigging arrangements. Conventional fiberglassinsulated tools are limited to use only in good weather. Anyaccumulation of moisture which may impair their insulating propertyrequires that the job be stopped, and that the conductors be placed inan insulator which is rated for all-weather use.

Fujimoto in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,107,954 and 5,183,168 which issuedrespectively on Apr. 28, 1992 and Feb. 2, 1993 describes an operatorcabin mounted on the distal end of a vertical mounted boom, the operatorcabin having at least one manipulator operatively connected to the frontside of the cabin. A pair of manipulators are illustrated. Themanipulators are adapted to manipulate electrical components whileenergized. In applicant's view the device of Fujimoto appears to belimited to electric components having a relatively lower voltage, forexample, 46 kV and below.

Several auxiliary cross arms have also been proposed in the past fortemporarily supporting conductors, thereby reducing the need forlabour-intensive “stick work” by linemen. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,973,795, which issued to Sharpe on 27 Nov., 1990, relates to anauxiliary cross arm consisting of an insulated boom fitted with polymerinsulators and conductor hooks for releasably engaging energizedconductors. The Sharpe boom is suspended from a crane above thetransmission lines to be serviced.

Auxiliary cross arms for temporarily lifting and supporting energizedconductors from below are also well known. Such cross arms typicallyhave sleeves which are connectible to the boom jibs of derrick or buckettrucks.

As we also describe in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,671, which issued Jan. 4,2005 for our Apparatus for Precisely Manipulating Elongate ObjectsAdjacent to and such as Energized Overhead High Voltage TransmissionLines, the replacement and installation of cross arm members orinsulators on overhead transmission towers is generally accomplished,whenever possible, while the electrical transmission lines areenergized. It is common to find several rows of transmission structuressupporting two or more vertically separate electrical transmission lineslocated in relatively close proximity. This confined overhead workingarea emphasizes the need for the precise elevating and manipulation ofobjects so as to avoid accidental arcing between the energized lines andthe object with obvious dire consequences to workmen and machinery. Aconvenient practice is to employ a helicopter to elevate such objects toworkmen on the tower. However, where a structures supports verticallyseparated energized lines, wind gusts and rotor downwash make thispractice difficult and may require the de-energizing of a portion of theelectrical transmission line. Such de-energizing is undertaken only as alast resort.

As we also describe in our published U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/927,467, published under Publication No. 2005/0133244A1 on Jun. 23,2005 for Live Conductor Stringing and Splicing Method and Apparatus,typically, alternating current is generated in a three-phaseconfiguration. The three phases, B phase and C phase are all transportedover separate conductors. Each such separate single phase conductor maybe referred to in the industry as a phase. It is appreciated by oneskilled in the art, that in some systems, more than one conductor(referred to herein as sub-conductors) carries the power load for aparticular phase. This may be done in instances when a load is greaterthat a single conductor can accommodate. In such cases multiple(bundled) sub-conductors are often located next to each other and mayhang from the same insulator as shown herein in FIG. 1. The conductorsmay be separated by spacers. Single insulators may be configured tocarry double sub-conductors, two sub-conductors per phase, under asingle yoke plate attached to the insulator.

Power lines consist of one, two or three phase systems. Each phase iselectrically different from the other, that is they are at differentelectrical potentials. For example: in a simple house circuit of 120/240volts, you have 3 wires (or conductors), two phase wires and a neutralor ground wire. The voltage or potential difference between the twophase wires and the neutral is 120 volts and the difference between thetwo phase wires is 240 volts. This is a two phase system. In a singlephase system you have two wires or conductors, one at an electricalpotential and the other at ground or neutral potential. In a three phasesystem there are three wires all at a different electrical potentialfrom the other. Some systems may have a fourth ground or neutral wirewhich is electrically at the same potential difference from the phasesor three wires.

Conductors are the wires or power lines in a power system. Each phase ofa power line may consist of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 wires or conductors whichare referred to as sub-conductors. Each sub-conductor is at the sameelectrical potential as the others regardless of the number ofsub-conductors. Generally sub-conductors are used at the higher voltages(EHV) up to 765 kV and are larger and heavier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found to be desirable in some circumstances, and it isan object of the present invention, to provide or attain higher surgeimpedance loading (SIL) on overhead lines. To accomplish this it isadvantageous to increase bundle spacing. It may also be advantageous todecrease phase spacing. It is also been proven that on two bundle lines,tipping the bundle (adjusting the height of the sub-conductors so thatthey are not at the same elevation) lowers the chances of line gallopingor vibration, thus reducing conductor damage.

The overhead lines studied for improving SIL were of the flatconfiguration. That is, the phases were supported from the tower by forexample an I-I-I or I-V-I insulator configuration at typical distancesof 9 to 10 m apart. This is referred to as the phase-to-phase spacing.

Methods to decrease the phase-to-phase spacing may involve the use ofinterphase spacers or insulators, originally developed to counterconductor galloping normally associated with ice forming onto conductorsand responsible for setting up large conductor movement. No modificationor alteration to the tower is necessary as the interphase spacer isinstalled in the middle of the span some 10 m away from the tower. Inone embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus provides foradjusting the horizontal spacing of insulators so that the phase spacingmay be adjusted.

Increasing the bundle spacing may involve mainly hardware modificationsto the line material that attaches the conductor to the insulator. Anexample of a group of lines which may benefit from improved SILperformance includes a typical turn conductor configuration in ahorizontal arrangement spaced apart by a typical distance of 380 mm (15inches) apart by a yoke plate. Two examples for improving the spacingbetween the sub-conductors of a phase include, firstly, dropping oneconductor by introducing an extension link between the yoke plate andthe suspension clamp to space the conductors apart, for example, 700 mm(23 inches). The other example involves a bigger yoke plate to space theconductors apart horizontally a distance of, for example, 700 mm. Thepresent invention assists in achieving an increased somewhat optimizedspacing between conductors for improved SIL performance.

It is difficult to achieve such spacing by adjusting the level of thebundle using a prior art single point conductor lifter. Because theconductor bundles are mounted at opposite ends of a yoke plate, itselfmounted to an insulator at a single central point, the weight of bothbundles has to be simultaneously supported to keep the yoke plate frompivoting or twisting or binding on the insulator and thereby possiblydamaging it.

In summary, the remote manipulator according to the present inventionfor separating multiple sub-conductors in an energized single phasebundle, may be characterized in one aspect as including a rigid supportmember such as a boom extension mountable on the end of a boom and atleast first and second actuators mounted on the support member, whereineach actuator is independently actuable of the other. An insulator orinsulators are mounted on each actuator. A selectively releasablecoupler is mounted on each insulator for selectively releasable couplingof each insulator to a corresponding sub-conductor in a live orenergized single phase bundle of sub-conductors. The actuators arearranged so as to, when selectively actuated by actuation means such asa hydraulic circuit, extend corresponding insulators independently ofone another from the support member to thereby separate from each otherby an optimized separation distance the distal ends of each insulator.When the corresponding sub-conductors of the single phase bundle arereleasably coupled to the corresponding distal ends of the insulatorsthe surge impedance loading of the single phase bundle may be improvedby separation of the corresponding distal ends of the insulators and thesub-conductors by the optimized separation distance.

In one embodiment each actuator actuates a corresponding insulatorlinearly along a linear actuation trajectory. Each actuator may bemounted on a common base which is itself mounted on the support member.The actuation trajectories may be parallel. The base may be selectivelypivotally mounted on the support member and selectively pivotablerelative thereto by actuation of a selectively actuable pivoting means.For example, an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder may pivot the baseabout a pivot point or fulcrum on the end of the support member. Thebase may for example be an arm cantilevered from the end of the support,a mounting bracket supporting the actuators and corresponding insulatorssymmetrically about the pivot point, or other structural embodimentsstably holding the actuators for accurate position of the distal ends ofthe insulators with their sub-conductor couplers.

The actuation trajectories extend linearly upwardly or downwardly fromthe support and the base in which case the optimized separation distancemay be a substantially vertical spacing between the correspondingseparated sub-conductors. Alternatively the actuation trajectories maybe substantially horizontal in which case the separation is alsohorizontal,

In one embodiment the actuators include corresponding prime movers suchas hydraulic cylinders mounted to the base and include distal ends whichare flexible members such as cables extending from the prime movers. Theflexible members may extend horizontally and/or depend downwardly fromthe base along the actuation trajectories. The prime movers of theactuators may be mounted substantially horizontally along the base, inparticular where the base is an elongate arm. That is, in one embodimentthe hydraulic cylinders are mounted along the arm so as to besubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the arm, the insulatorsmay be elongate and depend from the distal ends of the flexible membersso as to hang downwardly lengthwise substantially co-axially withflexible members, for example the cables.

In one embodiment, the actuators are hydraulic cylinders mounted so asto extend substantially vertically upwardly for releasable engagementwith the corresponding sub-conductors positioned above the base. Theinsulators may be elongate and are rigidly mounted to distal ends of theactuators and are actuable so that longitudinal axes of the insulatorsextend substantially along the linear actuation trajectories.Advantageously, a lateral spacing along the base between the actuatorsis substantially equal to the lateral spacing between the correspondingsub-conductors in the single phase bundle.

In use the apparatus according to the present invention for separatingmultiple sub-conductors in a live single phase bundle, includes a methodcomprising:

-   -   a) providing a rigid support member mountable on the end of a        boom    -   b) providing at least first and second actuators mounted on the        support member, wherein each actuator is independently actuable,    -   c) providing an insulator mounted on each actuator and a        selectively releasable coupler mounted on each insulator for        selectively releasable coupling of each insulator to a        corresponding sub-conductor in a live single phase bundle of        sub-conductors,    -   d) arranging the actuators and actuating the actuators by        actuation means so as to extend corresponding insulators        independently of one another from the support member,    -   e) releasably coupling to the distal ends of each insulator the        corresponding sub-conductors of the live single phase bundle,        and    -   f) separating from each other by an optimized separation        distance distal ends of the each insulator, so as to improve the        surge impedance loading of the single phase bundle by separation        of the corresponding distal ends by the optimized separation        distance.

The method may also include the steps of:

-   -   g) providing that each actuator actuates a corresponding        insulator linearly along a linear actuation trajectory and that        the actuation trajectories for each actuator are parallel,    -   h) of providing a common base and that each actuator is mounted        on the common base and the base is mounted on the support member        and providing that the base is selectively pivotally mounted on        the support member and providing a selectively actuable pivoting        means for pivoting the base support member    -   i) orienting each actuator so that the actuation trajectories        extend upwardly, downwardly or horizontally from the support and        the base, wherein the optimized separation distance is the        spacing between the corresponding separated sub-conductors, j)        laterally spacing the actuators along the base so that the        lateral spacing between the distal ends of the actuators is        substantially equal to lateral spacing between the corresponding        sub-conductors in the single phase bundle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away illustration of prior art overheadtransmission line structure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a single insulator mounted yoke platesupporting two sub-conductors from the view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 a is the view of FIG. 2 with the right hand sub-conductor loweredand a fixed rigid link inserted between the lowered sub-conductor andthe yoke plate so as to increase the spacing between the suspensionclamps.

FIG. 3 a is one alternative embodiment according to the presentinvention, with the sub-conductor lines not illustrated, in preparationfor adjusting the spacing between the pair of sub-conductors in thecenter phase.

FIG. 3 b is the view of FIG. 3 a in an embodiment of the presentinvention operating on an outside phase.

FIG. 4 a is, in side elevation view, one embodiment of the presentinvention mounted onto the end of a boom.

FIG. 4 b is, in partially cut away end elevation view, the embodiment ofFIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 c is, in top view, the embodiment of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 4 d is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 4 a with theactuators both fully extended.

FIG. 4 e is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 4 d with theactuators both fully retracted.

FIG. 4 f is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 4 d with thenear actuator fully extended and the far actuator fully retracted so asto raise the right insulator while leaving the left insulator lowered.

FIG. 5 a is, in side elevation view, a further alternative embodiment ofthe present invention mounted onto the end of a boom.

FIG. 5 b is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 5 a with theright hand actuator extended so as to elevate the corresponding righthand insulator.

FIG. 5 c is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 5 a with theleft hand actuator extended and the right hand actuator retracted so asto raise the left hand insulator.

FIG. 5 d is, in partially cut away partially exploded view, the left andright hand actuators of FIG. 5 b in an enlarged view.

FIG. 5 e is, in end elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 6 a is a further alternative embodiment according to the presentinvention in side elevation view.

FIG. 6 b is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 6 a with theactuator mounting bracket pivoted relative to the boom extension.

FIG. 6 c is, in side elevation view, the embodiment of FIG. 6 a with theleft and right hand actuators fully extended so as to raise both theleft and right hand insulators.

FIG. 6 d is a section view along lines 6 d-6 d in FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 6 e is, in side elevation view, the boom extension of FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 a is, in side elevation view, a further alternative embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is, in top view, the embodiment of FIG. 7 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the accompanying drawing figures, similar characters of referencedenote corresponding parts in each view. As shown in the prior art, itis known in the prior art to suspend from structures 10 energized, thatis, electrically live, overhead transmission lines 12 by means ofconventional insulators 14 suspended so as to depend downwardly from thecross arms of the towers. Often, within a single phase bundle, thesingle phase will be carried by multiple sub-conductors 12 a.Conventionally, a pair of such sub-conductors 12 a will be supportedfrom a cross arm 10 a by yoke plate 16, better seen in FIG. 2, itselfsuspended by a insulator(s) 14.

The capacity of the single phase bundle may be improved if the surgeimpedance loading can also be improved. The surge impedance loading canbe improved by increasing the spacing between sub-conductors 12 a, forexample, increasing the separation distance d₁ between sub-conductors 12a suspended by couplings such as suspension clamps 18 from yoke plate16. One way to increase the spacing between the sub-conductors 12 asuspended on yoke plate 16, is to drop one of the sub-conductors forexample in direction A in FIG. 2 so as to lower the right handsub-conductor 12 a by distance d₂. The resulting separation between theleft and right sub-conductors 12 a is a separation of distance d₃. Thuswhere the lateral spacing provided by a conventional yoke plate 16 isapproximately 380 millimeters (15 inches) between couplers 18, so thatdistance d₁ is 380 millimeters, lowering the right sub-conductor 12 a indirection A by a distance d₂ of approximately 580 millimeters, resultsin a separation between the left and right sub-conductors 12 a by adistance d₃ of approximately 700 millimeters (23 inches). As seen inFIG. 2 a a fixed rigid link 16 a may be inserted between the yoke plateand the lowered coupler 18 to maintain the separated spacing between thesub-conductors. The present invention provides for increasing theseparation between the sub-conductors from distance d₁ to distance d₃ inthe illustrated example, which is not intended to be limiting but ratherwhich exemplifies how one solution according to the present inventionmay be implemented.

As seen in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, in implementing the method and apparatusaccording to the present invention, a conventional vehicle 20 having atelescoping boom 22 may be parked adjacent to the structure 10. Aninsulated boom extension 24 may be mounted to the distal end 22 a ofboom 22. Insulated boom extension 24 is alternatively referred to hereinas a rigid support member although it is not intended that the meaningof the term rigid support member is to be limited to meaning solely aninsulated boom extension as other support means mounted to the end 22 aof boom 22 will work.

A pivotable base, illustrated in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b as a cross member 26,is pivotally mounted to boom extension 24 for pivoting relative theretoupon actuation of an actuator such as hydraulic cylinder 28 mounted soas to extend between boom extension 24 and cross member 26. A rigidcantilevered extension arm 30 may be mounted to cross member 26 where itis required to reach for example a center single phase bundle 32suspended from the structure 10. As seen in FIG. 3 b, in order to reachsingle phase bundle 34, extension 30 is not required.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, which are notintended to be limiting, a pair of insulators 36 a and 36 b aresuspended on corresponding cables 38 a and 38 b. The cables are attachedto a pair of hydraulic actuators 40 a and 40 b, cable 38 a beingconnected to actuator 40 a, and cable 38 b being connected to actuator40 b so that insulators 36 a and 36 b and their corresponding suspensionclamps may be raised or lowered independently by actuation of theircorresponding actuators 40 a and 40 b.

A corresponding embodiment, that is, where the insulators depend fromcables connected to independently actuable hydraulic cylinders, is alsoseen in FIGS. 4 a-4 c. Again, insulator 36 a is connected to itscorresponding hydraulic cylinder 40 a by a cable 38 a, and insulator 36b is connected to its corresponding hydraulic cylinder 40 b by cable 38b. Cables 38 a and 38 b depend from their corresponding idler rollers orpulleys 42 a and 42 b, themselves mounted, spaced apart along the distalend of a base member, in this case support arm 44. Idler pulleys 42 aand 42 b, and thus insulators 36 a and 36 b, are spaced apart on the endof support arm 44 by a distance substantially equivalent to distance d₁so that, with boom extension 24 and support arm 44 positioned so thatsub-conductor suspension clamps or couplers 46 a and 46 b mounted,respectively, on the lower ends of insulators 36 a and 36 b, may beconnected to sub-conductors 12 a held in couplers 18 on yoke plate 16.With the sub-conductors 12 a coupled within couplers 46 a and 46 b so asto support the weight of the sub-conductors 12 a, one of thesub-conductors such as the right sub-conductor in FIG. 2, may beuncoupled from its corresponding coupler 18. Its weight is taken up byits corresponding insulator and cable, in this instance insulator 36 band cable 38 b, and the right sub-conductor lowered by actuation ofcylinder 40 b so as to extend the corresponding cylinder rod and therebylower the right sub-conductor 12 a by distance d₂. With the rightsub-conductor 12 a lowered by distance d₂ from yoke plate 16, a fixedextension bar or link 16 a or the like may be installed between yokeplate 16 and the lowered sub-conductor 12 a so that the sub-conductormay be supported in its lowered position to thereby maintain thesomewhat optimized separation distance d₃ between the left and rightsub-conductors 12 a.

FIGS. 4 d-4 f illustrate that hydraulic cylinders 40 a and 40 b areindependently actuable so that as seen in FIG. 4 d both cylinders may besimultaneously actuated so as to extend their corresponding rods andthereby lower their corresponding insulators 36 a and 36 b, or may, asseen in FIG. 4 e, be simultaneously retracted so as to simultaneouslyraise insulators 36 a and 36 b. As seen in FIG. 4 f, and as alreadyreferred to in respect of FIGS. 4 a-4 c, actuators 40 a and 40 b may beindependently actuated so as to independently raise or lower thecorresponding insulators 36 a and 36 b, FIG. 4 f illustrating insulator36 b raised by the retraction of cylinder 40 b while leaving cylinder 40a extended and insulator 36 a thus in its lowered position.

As in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4a-4 f, support arm 44 may be pivoted relative to boom extension 24.Support arm 44 is pivotally mounted on the distal end 24 a of boomextension 24 so that its angular orientation in a generally verticalplane about end 24 a may be adjusted by the selective actuation ofhydraulic cylinder 46.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a-5 e, instead of insulators 36 a and 36 bbeing selectively lowered and raised below a base member which ispivotally mounted to the support member on the boom, that is, supportarm 44 pivotally mounted on boom extension 24, insulators 36 a and 36 bare mounted so as to be driven upwardly by hydraulic actuators 48 a and48 b housed, respectively, in telescoping cylindrical housings orcylinders 50 a and 50 b. Each cylinder 50 b is snugly nested within itscorresponding cylinder 50 a so that, as actuators 48 a and 48 b areactuated to extend or retract their corresponding rods, telescopingcylinder 50 b is correspondingly extended or retracted so as to upwardlyextend or retract the insulator mounted thereon. Cylinders 50 a aremounted in or on the distal end of support arm 52. Like support arm 44,support arm 52 is pivotally mounted to boom extension 24 at end 24 a andpivoted relative thereto by actuation of hydraulic cylinder 46.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 a-6 e, the base member to which theinsulators 36 a and 36 b and their corresponding hydraulic cylinders 48a and 48 b are mounted is, rather than a cantilevered member such assupport arm 52, a mounting bracket 54 supporting insulators 36 a and 36b and their corresponding hydraulic cylinders 48 a and 48 bsymmetrically at the base end of the cylinders on either side of thedistal end 56 a of boom extension 56. Mounting bracket 54 is pivotallymounted by means of shaft or pin 58 journalled through apertures indistal end 56 a so that mounting bracket 54 may be pivoted relative toboom extension 56 by the operation of hydraulic cylinder 60. Hydrauliccylinder 60 is mounted at its ends to flanges 54 a and 56 b extendingrespectively from mounting bracket 54 and boom extension 56. As seen inFIG. 6 d, mounting bracket 54 may be a sandwich of parallel plates 54 bsandwiching therebetween a laterally spaced apart parallel pair ofhydraulic cylinders 48 a and 48 b mounted within hollow tubular housings54 c and supported by guides 54 d.

In use, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5 a-5 e, the boom, boom extensionand base member (the latter represented by support arm 52 in FIGS. 5 a-5e, and mounting bracket 54 in FIGS. 6 a-6 e) are positioned underneaththe energized single phase sub-conductor bundle. The insulators on theircorresponding hydraulic cylinders are aligned by selectively pivotingthe base relative to the support member, that is relative to the boomextension in the illustrated embodiments. Although the illustrations arelimited to only two insulators on a corresponding pair of actuators soas to pick individual sub-conductors from only a suspended pair ofsub-conductors, it is understood that within an energized single phasebundle of sub-conductors, there may be a plurality of sub-conductors andconsequently two or more parallel insulators and their correspondingactuators may be mounted on the base so that actuation of the actuatorsdrives the insulators and their corresponding sub-conductors whenmounted in the couplers 46 generally vertically relative to one anotherto thereby adjust the spacing between for example all the adjacentsub-conductors. Thus with sub-conductors 12 a mounted, one each, intocouplers 46, and with one or more of the sub-conductors so heldde-mounted from their support on towers 10, for example de-mounted fromyoke plate 16, the position of one sub-conductor 12 a may be heldconstant and the adjacent sub-conductor raised or lowered relative theother so as to increase the separation between the two to distance d₃.Once the desired separation distance is attained, the sub-conductorwhich has been removed from its original mount on the structure 10 issecured in its new position by for example, the mounting of a rigid linkarm between the sub-conductor and original structure mounting point orthe like. Once the sub-conductors have been re-secured, and inparticular, the sub-conductor which has been raised or lowered from itsoriginal position has been re-secured to the structure 10 using a rigidlink or arm, couplers 46 may be released and the insulators retractedfor removal from proximity to the energized bundle. Thus as may be seenusing the example of the yoke plate 16, even though only onesub-conductor of the pair of sub-conductors is being moved relative tothe other, both sub-conductors are supported by couplers 46 on thecorresponding insulators and hydraulic cylinders so as to avoid movementof the yoke plate relative to the corresponding insulator 14.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 a and 7 b the embodiment of FIGS. 4 a-4 fhas been modified so as to pull sub-conductors 12 a together to installspreaders or so that phase spacing may be adjusted by horizontallyadjusting the position of insulators 36 a and 36 b. Thus for example ifeach hydraulic cylinder 40 a and 40 b had a stroke of three feet, thenin the arrangement of FIGS. 7 a and 7 b where the cables are disposed inopposite directions around idler rollers or pulleys 42 a and 42 b,simultaneous actuation of both hydraulic cylinders provides for a takeup of six feet in direction B, that is, coaxially with the longitudinalaxis of the insulators and the corresponding hydraulic cylinders.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to beconstrued in accordance with the substance defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote manipulator for separating multiplesub-conductors in a energized single phase bundle, comprising: a rigidsupport member mountable on the end of a boom, at least first and secondactuators mounted on said support member, each actuator of said at leastfirst and second actuators independently actuable, an insulator mountedon said each actuator of said at least first and second actuators, aselectively releasable coupler mounted on each said insulator forselectively releasable coupling of said each insulator to acorresponding sub-conductor in an energized single phase bundle ofsub-conductors, wherein said each insulator has a distal end, said atleast first and second actuators arranged so as to, when selectivelyactuated by actuation means, extend corresponding said insulatorsindependently of one another from said support member to therebyseparate from each other by a separation distance the distal ends ofsaid each insulator, wherein, when the corresponding sub-conductors ofthe energized single phase bundle are releasably coupled tocorresponding said distal ends, the surge impedance loading of thesingle phase bundle is improved by increasing said surge impedanceloading by separation of said corresponding distal ends by saidseparation distance.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said each actuatoractuates a corresponding said each insulator linearly along a linearactuation trajectory.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said eachactuator is mounted on a common base and said base is mounted on saidsupport member, and wherein said actuation trajectories are parallel. 4.The device of claim 3 wherein said base is selectively pivotally mountedon said support member and selectively pivotable by actuation ofselectively actuable pivoting means.
 5. The device of claim 3 whereinsaid actuation trajectories extend upwardly from said support and saidbase, and wherein said separation distance is a substantially verticalspacing between the corresponding separated sub-conductors.
 6. Thedevice of claim 3 wherein said actuation trajectories extend downwardlyfrom said support and said base, and wherein said separation distance isa substantially vertical spacing between the corresponding separatedsub-conductors.
 7. The device of claim 3 wherein said support is aninsulated boom extension for mounting on the end of the boom and whereinsaid base is an arm extending substantially horizontally from saidsupport.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said actuation trajectoriesextend downwardly from said support and said base, and wherein saidseparation distance is a substantially vertical spacing between thecorresponding separated sub-conductors.
 9. The device of claim 7 whereinsaid actuation trajectories extend upwardly from said support and saidbase, and wherein said separation distance is a substantially verticalspacing between the corresponding separated sub-conductors.
 10. Thedevice of claim 8 wherein said actuators include corresponding primemovers mounted to said arm and wherein said actuators have distal endswhich are flexible members extending from said prime movers anddepending downwardly from said arm along said actuation trajectories andwherein said prime movers of said actuators are mounted substantiallyhorizontally along said arm.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein saidflexible members are cables and wherein said prime movers are hydrauliccylinders.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein said hydraulic cylindersare mounted along said arm so as to be substantially parallel to alongitudinal axis of said arm.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein saidinsulators are elongate and depend from said distal ends so as to hangdownwardly lengthwise substantially co-axially with said cables.
 14. Thedevice of claim 5 wherein said actuators are hydraulic cylinders mountedso as to extend substantially vertically upwardly for releasableengagement with the corresponding sub-conductors.
 15. The device ofclaim 14 wherein said insulators are elongate and are rigidly mounted todistal ends of said actuators and are actuable so that longitudinal axesof said insulators extend substantially along said linear actuationtrajectories.
 16. The device of claim 4 wherein a lateral spacing alongsaid base between said actuators is substantially equal to lateralspacing between the corresponding sub-conductors in the single phasebundle.
 17. The device of claim 3 wherein said actuation trajectoriesextend substantially horizontally from said base and wherein saidseparation distance is a substantially lateral spacing between thecorresponding separated sub-conductors in the single phase bundle.